Authors: Akbar, Sk. M.F.; Murakami, Hidehiro; Horiike, Norio; Onji, Morikazu

Source: Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Infective Agents), Volume 5, Number 1, January 2006 , pp. 75-84(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Approximately 350-400 million people of the world are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus, and it is these individuals that harbor the virus for their whole life and are responsible for its transmission to uninfected populations. Considerable numbers of chronic hepatitis B virus carriers develop progressive liver diseases like chronic hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B include interferon, and antiviral drugs such as lamivudine, adefovir, and entacavir. These antiviral treatments are not satisfactory in that they are unable to eradicate the hepatitis B virus, expensive, can have debilitating side effects, and, once treatment is stopped, the virus and clinical conditions return in many individuals.

Recent advancements in various aspects of cellular and molecular biology indicate that the host's immune responses to the hepatitis B virus play cardinal role during acquisition, pathogenesis, progression and complications of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. These also explain the limitations of antiviral drugs for treatment of these patients.

Here, we will first provide a comprehensive account of hepatitis B virus. Next, the scopes and limitations of present regimens of antiviral drugs in chronic HBV carriers will be provided. Finally, the rationale and strategy of immune therapies including dendritic cell-based therapies against chronic hepatitis B virus infection will be discussed.

Keywords: Antiviral therapy; chronic hepatitis B; dendritic cells; hepatitis B virus; immune therapy; vaccine therapy

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152106774755608

Affiliations: 1: Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, To On City, Ehime 791- 0295, Japan.

Publication date: 2006-01-01

More about this publication?

• Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments in medicinal chemistry and rational drug design for the discovery of new anti-infective agents.
  Each issue contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics in anti-infective medicinal chemistry.
  
  Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry is an essential journal for every medicinal chemist who wishes to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments in anti-infective drug discovery.

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